Things I Want To Try in 2013

As you may or may not be aware, I attempted a goals list this year. Most of which I managed to achieve apart from a stray few. But I’ve been reading variousopinions about living life without goals. Goals can constrict. Something you set at the end of the previous year that you’re now stuck doing even when you don’t care about it anymore. Life changes and your goals need to reflect that.

So here’s a list of stuff I want to try in 2013. The list will grow (or even shrink) and I will update when I can on my experiences with these ‘new’ activities. Some are on-going practises, some will take a lot of effort, and some may take less than a day’s work.

Find a buddy and learn Spanish.I’ve actually begun this already (even after my failed Spanish course at uni), but learning another language is a proper commitment and one I need to dedicate more time to.

Sign up to a physical sport. Hockey? Indoor Soccer? Turbo Touch?It’s all well and good to exercise alone, but why do that when you can get in shape together? Plus it doesn’t hurt to play a real game once in a while with real people, and get down and dirty.

Practise Yoga.I’m still not sure if it’s for me, but I do need something to limber up and recover from all my time sitting at my desk chair.

Go overseas by myself.I’m an independent person. Well, at least that’s what I like to think. I’ve been overseas twice and I travelled with a group each time. Next year I am going it alone. Melbourne is far from a far flung African nation, but it’s a start! So that’s something to get me out of my comfort zone, and hopefully help me make a better effort when it comes to meeting new people.

Learn a self defence martial art. Hapkido?It’s not often you will need self defence, but it does pay to be able to protect yourself and your loved ones. And I really do have zero combat skills, apart from my flurry of slaps and my quick dash.

Actually go ‘clubbing’.24 and still sitting at home on a Saturday night. I know I’ll probably hate it. The crowds, the smells, the sore feet, the awkward social situations. But I can’t let anything go unchecked. You only have one life after all.

Get to know my workmates better.Seeing as I spend most of my time at work (well, when I actually have hours), I should make a greater effort at getting to know my workmates. I can do the shallow conversation stuff okay, but I need to go deeper.

Have a relationship.Of course this involves the taking of initiative and the dating, but from this year I have learned it really isn’t that scary. Fear is all in the mind. And the more I do it the easier and more natural it will become. I can’t be afraid to look stupid, or I’ll never get anywhere.

Host events/parties/catch-ups.Although it might seem like I’m an introverted loner I really do love hanging out with friends and I enjoy group activities. So it’s ‘bout time I take charge and set up some of my own for a change, and not just the once-a-year birthday party.

Initiate contact with friends and family.I’m usually the one that waits, the one that hates to take initiative. I know this, and I need to do better. I need to make more phone calls, see how people are doing, and arrange catch-ups. It’s unfair for me to put all the work on everyone else.

Get my full driver’s licence.A progression from this year after getting my Restricted. I’ve done the Defensive Driving course and I need to wait until the end of February until I can take the next step. According to my instructor I need to practise identifying hazards and say what I’m doing to prevent accidents (for the test), as well as smoother gear changes, using my mirrors more often, and slowing down on corners.

Learn guitar.It might be tricky learning another language as well as an instrument, but it’s on the list anyway. I started this a few years back, and I really do hate how I give up so easily. So it’s time to jump back on the old strings, hammer a few chords, and play a few U2 songs.

Practise public speaking.What do they say about facing up to your fears? I’m not sure either, but it does seem like the right thing to do. Plus, it can only help reduce my shyness in the long run. And I would really like to be able to stand up in front of a group and say more than a few clumsy strung-together words.

Take on a leadership role.

The Fair Trade Upper Hutt thing is hard because I don’t have real leadership skills. I want to take on a proven role and learn from the best, so I’m training to become a Duty Officer for the Upper Hutt Animal Rescue in 2013. This involves assigning duties, learning names, interfacing with visitors, and putting in a lot more work, as well as learning to be on time.

Record and upload my own podcast.I attempted something this year; a podcast about stories in all forms of media. But it was horrid. Until I feel comfortable in front of a microphone (and can reduce my um’s and ah’s and sniffs), I won’t release anything publically. But it is my aim!

Update: 27/12/12 22:45

Run from Upper Hutt to Silverstream.
I’ve been getting into running over the last few months with a buddy, and although I said I was against goals, for this one I wanted something tactile to work towards. It’s about 6.2km so not entirely out of the range of possibility. That doesn’t it mean we can slack off though.

Update: 29/12/12 09:23

Read more books.
I have a Kindle. I have a library card. I have spare time. There is no excuse. I am a writer and to improve my craft I need to read more books. It’s frankly quite embarrassing the number of books I read this year (I can count them on one or two hands). I need to put away the TV and the videogames *gasp* and get into the medium I love so much, but never spare a second for.

Edit my novel.
So procrastination strikes again. I finally write a bloody novel and it sits untouched with its pants around its ankles waiting to be cleaned up. This may involve setting a daily routine, or perhaps even a 50k edit in a month challenge? I need something to get my ass motivated.

Update: 02/01/13 10:49

Get rid of excess crap.
So last year I had a goal to scan in my old school stuff and other mementos. And I started, but quickly gave up as I saw the mountain that lay before me. I managed to sell off a bunch of DVDs and games and other things which has helped, but there’s still a long way to go. The hardest thing is going to be my U2 collection…

Update 21/01/13 11.00

Re-learn.

So I knew my weak subjects at school and they’re still weak today. I want to change that. With resources like Khan Academy there’s no excuse. I want to learn geography, well, mostly countries and major cities and where they’re located on the world map. I want to learn maths so I can do basic equations, fractions, and percentages in my head.

Mini goals.
These are small things that I can do anytime. I just need the motivation!

– Drive to Wellington and back.

– Visit SPCA Wellington.

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10 thoughts on “Things I Want To Try in 2013”

I love the idea of goals, and when I thought about it – I do have goals for each new year, just don’t often put them on paper (eInk?).
Best of luck Michael! I’m fairly confident you’ll get through your goals. I watched you this year go from someone who was shy and didn’t say much at Writer’s Plot to a fully participating member. 🙂 You can do anything. xx

I love the idea of goals, and when I thought about it – I do have goals for each new year, just don’t often put them on paper (eInk?).
Best of luck Michael! I’m fairly confident you’ll get through your goals. I watched you this year go from someone who was shy and didn’t say much at Writer’s Plot to a fully participating member. 🙂 You can do anything. xx